Priyanka Chopra Calls Out Bollywood Casting For Its Politics And Drama, Says Cast On Basis Of Merit

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APRIL 19,2023

Priyanka Chopra is on a roll when it comes to calling out unorganized practices in Bollywood. Be it the industry's nepotistic support or casting drama, the actress has never shied away from opening up about her journey as an outsider to becoming a global star. Ever since she spilled the beans about moving to the West for work on Dax Shepherd's podcast, Priyanka has been hitting the headlines for revealing how Bollywood actually functions.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Opens Up On Not Working With People She Doesn't Like, Says That's Non-Negotible

In a recent interview, while promoting her upcoming web series Citadel, Priyanka Chopra opened up on Bollywood casting practices, the politics and drama that come along, and much more. Shedding light on how casting should be based on merit and not an individual's family background, PeeCee got candid about how Bollywood can create a safe space for outsiders like her.

Priyanka Chopra Calls Out Bollywood Casting Process

The actress believes the change would start when Bollywood dismantles politics and drama, which often rules the casting process. Priyanka, who is currently busy promoting her action-drama web series Citadel, suggests the workplace should be merit-based.


'I think having conversations around opportunity and merit is important. Now that we are living in the world of streaming, there is so much more. The Hindi film industry has changed so much in the last five to ten years. You have so many talent - writers, directors, actors that come from outside the industry. When I first started, that was not the case, at all. So I think having conversations around the fact that the workplace should be merit-based, that the workplace should be a positive environment, that casting should be a casting director's job instead of the politics and the drama,' said Priyanka.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Recalls Being Called 'Finished' After Her Movies Tanked, Says She Isn't A Nepo Baby

Priyanka Chopra is one of the few actors who has reached dominating both Bollywood and Hollywood purely on her merit. She did not come with a safety net of a film family. She believes if there is a strong influence of outsiders in the industry, it is because her generation of actors fought for their place.

'I think having those conversations is really, really important so that there are no camps that actually rule casting and it is done because of merit and because of audiences wanting to watch people. I am so excited to be able to see so many new faces from outside (of the film industry) and different parts of the country who have come into mainstream Hindi language entertainment. It gives me such a joy, to be able to see that in my own career. And that happened because my generation of actors fought for it,' the Citadel star further added.

Priyanka Chopra On Being Cornered From Bollywood

In a recent podcast that shook the internet, Priyanka Chopra got candid about her journey from everything to almost nothing in Bollywood. There was a period when the Barfi actress felt outcasted and was 'cornered' in Bollywood. This was also the time when she had 'beef' with some Bollywood biggies. While no names were named, controversies and critics pointed their fingers at Karan Johar for advocating nepo kids over outside talent.

PeeCee said, 'I was being pushed into a corner in the industry (Bollywood). I had people not casting me, I had beef with people, I am not good at playing that game so I kind of was tired of the politics and I said I needed a break."


Also Read: Priyanka Chopra FINALLY Opens Up On Why She Spoke About Being 'Cornered' In Bollywood After Years

The Quantico actress further said, "This music thing gave me an opportunity to go into another part of the world, not crave for the movies I didn't want to get but I would require to schmooze certain clubs and cliques of people. It would require groveling and I had worked a long time by then that I didn't feel like I wanted to do it.'

About Citadel

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra is gearing up for her upcoming Amazon Prime web series Citadel. The spy drama which also features Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden is produced by Russo Brothers. Citadel will see a global digital release on April 28.

The spy drama will also be adapted in India with Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in titular roles.

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